The Sun was first to reveal the September 19 incident — and readers called for
him to go in our online Plebiscite poll.

According to the official police log, Mr Mitchell called the protection squad
officers “f***ing plebs”.

He has since apologised to the officers, but still denies saying the words
attributed to him.

At yesterday’s meeting he turned down the chance to give his version of
events. Ken Mackaill, chairman of the West Mercia Police Federation, said Mr
Mitchell told them he did not want to get into a “firefight” with the
Downing Street police.

Mr Mackaill said: “Mr Mitchell now has no option but to resign.

“He’s continuing to refuse to elaborate on what happened. It is now up to the
public and others to make up their minds about who is telling the truth.

“I think Andrew Mitchell’s position is untenable, and if he won’t resign I
don’t think Mr Cameron has an option — he has to sack him.”

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper also called on the PM to sack Mr Mitchell,
saying the affair “has gone on long enough”. She added: “Neither the Prime
Minister nor the Chief Whip have proved capable of coming clean and putting
this right.

“It is now clear no one even in the Conservative Party has confidence in
Andrew Mitchell.

“He will clearly not be able to instil respect as Chief Whip, and this will
just drag on and on.

“David Cameron needs to put an end to this now and remove Andrew Mitchell from
his position.”

But Downing Street last night insisted Mr Mitchell still had the Prime
Minister’s full support.

A spokesman said: “What he said was completely wrong but he apologised to the
officers involved and they chose not to take it any further. That’s where
the matter rests.”

Friends also insisted he was staying put. One said: “He intends to be back at
his desk on Monday.”

But senior figures admit next week will be crucial for him as MPs return to
the Commons after conference season.

Mr Mitchell will be an easy target for Labour if he appears at Prime
Minister’s Questions, and one source said he had effectively been put on “a
week’s warning” to save his job.